Varanasi: At least 18 persons were killed and dozens were injured when a section of an under-construction flyover collapsed in Varanasi. The tragedy took place near the Cantonment railway station and the bridge was being constructed by the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation. Varanasi is the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who later condoled to the accident. State Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath has also declared a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each has been announced for the families of the dead and Rs 2 lakh for critically injured.

Many cars were buried under the collapsed structure, district officials said, adding that the death toll could go up once the debris was cleared.

Three persons were pulled alive out of the crashed structure. Two persons admitted at a medical facility were said to be in a critical condition, an official spokesman told IANS.

A crane belonging to the National Highways Authority of India pulled out all vehicles that were crushed under the collapsed flyover portion.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath would reach Varanasi late in the night to take stock of the situation, the official said.

Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said that seven NDRF teams comprising 325 rescuers have been deployed at the spot to carry out the rescue.

“Sixteen bodies have been recovered so far. Three persons have been pulled out alive from under the debris,” he told IANS earlier, adding that three-four people could still be trapped.